Means for locking bodies to supports



June 3, 1941. A. w. HAPPEL MEANS FOR LOCKING BODIE S TO SUPPORTS Filed Nov. 32, 1933 Patented June 3, 1941 MEANS FOR LOCK'ING BODIES TO SUPPORTS Albert W. Happel, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Western Gataphote Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November I22, 1938, Serial No. 241,881

Claims.

This invention relates more particularly to signs, and is particularly directed to signs used as highway outliners and to the type employing light reflecting means, but may also be used in connection with parking meters and other devices for which adapted.

Highway outlining signs or markers are placed at frequent intervals along insufliciently lighted roads for the purpose of accurately marking the edges thereof, particularly at night. It is desirable that they be placed relatively close together so that a number of such markers will be visible at all times. The large number required satisfactorily to outline a highway makes it important that the markers be constructed at relatively low cost, and that they be adequately protected against unauthorized removal. It is desirable that each marker be supported on a simple post, such as one of angle-iron, in a manner to enable it to be easily and quickly engaged therewith and to prevent or render diflicult its removal therefrom except by the use of a special tool for the purpose.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a highway outlining marker which is simple and inexpensive in its construction and which, when placed on a supporting post, cannot be removed therefrom or opened except by a specially shaped tool.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a marker of this type which is characterized by the absence of screws, bolts and similarly threaded fastening means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment thereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation, with parts broken away, of a marker embodying the invention mounted on a post; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof on the line 2--2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 of the lower end portion of the marker, with the mounting post removed; Fig. 4 is a section similar to the lower end portion of Fig. 2, showing a rel-easing tool inserted in the marker preparatory to releasing it from locking engagement with a post; Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 66 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the post locking means, which is mounted within the lower end portion of one member of the marker, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 1.

The device, in its illustrated embodiment, comprises two similar shells 10, ll, of cup-form, preferably stamped from sheet metal, and secured together in substantially edge to edge abutment to form a hollow body A having the opposed side portions l2 and I3, respectively, in one or both of which may be mounted one or more reflectingunits M in any suitable arrangement and manner. For the purpose of securing the two shells together in telescoped relation, one, :0 in the present instance, is provided with an insert strip I5 of inverted U-form which extends across the top portion of the shell and a distance down each side thereof. This strip is fixedly secured in any suitable manner, as by electric Welding, to the inner side edge portion of the shell and provides an edgewise projecting flange for telescoping or slip joint connection within the corresponding edge portion of the companion shell ll.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, a locking means for the top portion of the two shell sections is provided at the top of the device and includes a tongue I6 fixed to the shell H interiorly of its top edge portion and adapted to engage over a depressed portion of the strip l5 and having a free end portion for projecting through an opening l8 in the reinforcing strip 15 and to have snap engagement with a wall thereof. In assembling the two shells, the tongueiS is first inserted through the opening l8 with the shells inclining outwardly from each other and with their upper inner edges meeting. The lower spaced apart ends of the two shells are then drawn together to place them in parallel telescoped relation and to cause the tongue 16 to snap into engagement with the opening [8 and thus prevent separation of the upper inner end portions of the shells.

The device 'A, in its present embodiment, has its lower end reduced in size to form a neck portion 13, which is closed at its lower end except as hereinafter described, and is substantially rectangular in cross-section. This portion B is adapted 'to have a supporting post P inserted upwardly therein through its bottom and isv pro vided internally with means for guiding and limiting the movement of the post therein and for locking the marker to the post.

In practice, highway markers are generally used with metal posts of angular form in crosssection made from angle or channel-bar stock, the former being shown in the present instance. The lower end of the post receiving portion B of the marker is provided with a slot IE] to receive the post, the slot preferably being of a shape and size corresponding to the cross-sew tional shape and size of the post to assist in guiding its insertion into the marker.

Secured Within the portion B, as by spot welding, against one side wall thereof is a plate 20 having a foot flange 2| and a top flange 22 extending inwardly therefrom. The flange 2| preferably rests on the bottom wall of the portion B to reinforce such wall and is provided with slots 23 in register with the portions of the slot [9 which it would otherwise cover. The top flange 22 serves as a stop for engagement with the upper end of a post to limit its insertion into the device, and is shown as having edge lips 24 for engaging outer side edge portions of the post to prevent lateral movement of the engaged post away from the plate 20.

A third flange or shelf 25 is provided on the plate 20 intermediate the foot and top flanges 2| and 22, and is of less size than said'top flange to prevent interference with a post when inserted into the device. The shelf 25 may be conveniently formed by striking it from the plate 20. A clutchpawl 26 rests on the shelf 25 and is rockingly connected to the plate 20 or to said shelf, as at 21, to permit an upward swinging movement of the pawl relative thereto, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The pawl 26 is normally held seated on the shelf 25 by a coiled compression spring 28 interposed between it and the top flange 22. The pawl is of a size to project into th path of movement of a post when inserted in supporting position into a device, so that such inserting action moves the pawl upward to tilted position relative to its supporting flange and against the tension of the spring 28.

It is apparent that the pawl 26 has clutch coaction with the adjacent side of the post to prevent its withdrawal from the device until the pawl is released for such purpose. This release may be effected by inserting a special tool 30 for the purpose up through a small opening 3| in the device bottom and flang 2| and causing its upper end to have raising engagement with the outer end portion of the pawl in advance of theshelf 25, thus freeing the pawl from its clutch engagement with the post. Th hole 3| is preferably small so that only a tool of small diameter, such as a wire, can be inserted therethrough, and it is superposed by the shelf 25 so that a specially bent tool, as shown, is required to enable it to miss the shelf and have releasing engagement with the pawl. It will thus be seen that the shelf 25, in addition to supporting the clutch pawl, also serves as a protector therefor to prevent other than a specially shaped tool to be used to release it.

If the post is of angle or channel iron form, its assembly with the locking means is preferably such that its channeled side faces the plate 20 and receives the clutch pawl. If the post is of angle-iron form, this enables the pawl to have a two-point engagement with opposing side walls of its channel, as shown in Fig. 5.

The lower end of the shell section II, in the present instance, opposes the plate 20 in the other section, and is interiorly provided with a loop or post engaging part 35 which projects into said other section when the sections are in assembled relation. The slots 23 in the bottom flange 2| of the member 20 conform to and are adapted to receive the side flanges or angularly projecting portions of a post P when inserted into the bottom of the marker and to cooperate with the loop part 35, in engagement with the post, to prevent an opening or separation of the sections of the marker until the post has been withdrawn therefrom. In this connection it is apparent that the loop 35 and outer walls of the slots 23 are attachedto opposing shell members and coact in opposing relation with the flanges or angularly projecting portions of a post of angular form in cross-section, as illustrated, to prevent separation of the shell sections until the post is withdrawn.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

l. A body including two laterally separable members forming a hollow lower end with provision for the insertion of a supporting post therein, means within said lower end for coacting with a post inserted therein to prevent separation of the body members, and means within the body for releasably engaging an inserted post to normally prevent its withdrawal from the body.

2. A body including two laterally separable members forming a hollow lower end with provision for the insertion of a supporting post therein, means within the body for coacting with a post inserted therein to prevent separation of the body members, and a post engaging clutch within the body being movable in a releasing direction by insertion of a post into the body and normally operable to have clutch engagement with the post to prevent its withdrawal from the body, said body having provision for the insertion of a tool of predetermined shape therein to engage and move the clutch to release a post.

3. A body including two relatively separable members forming a hollow lower end with provision for the insertion of a supporting post therein, said members having releasable interlocking connection at their upper ends rendered effective by closing the members together in assembled relation, means at the lower end of the body for coaction with an inserted post to prevent separation of the body members from assembled relation, and releasable means for engaging an inserted post and preventing its withdrawal from the body. 1

4. A body including two laterally separable members having releasable interlocking connection at their upper ends and having a hollow lower end with provision for the upward insertion therein of a post of angular form in crosssection to form diverging flanges, means coacting with the post flanges when inserted into the body to prevent separation of the body members, a post engaging clutch within the body movable in a releasing direction by insertion of a post into the body and normally operable to have clutch engagement with the post to prevent its withdrawal from the body.

5. A body including two relatively separable members forming a hollow lower end with provision for the insertion therein of a supporting post of angular form in cross-section, said members having connection at their upper ends permitting a hinge action of the members, and means having separate portions attached to said members at the lower end portion of the body for coaction with an inserted post to provent separation of the body members from assembled relation until the post has been removed from the body.

ALBERT W. HAPPEL. 

